Greece will provide a C-130 transport aircraft for the evacuation of Cypriot nationals from Lebanon, according to an official update from the Hellenic Ministry of Defence.

Κατόπιν αιτήματος του Υπουργού Άμυνας της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας Βασίλη Πάλμα, σε τηλεφωνική μας επικοινωνία, η ελληνική Πολεμική Αεροπορία θα διαθέσει μεταγωγικό αεροσκάφος C-130 για τον απεγκλωβισμό υπηκόων της Κύπρου από τον Λίβανο.

The time of the mission will be determined by the Cypriot side.

In the meantime, the rapid developments in the Middle East after Iran’s retaliation against Israel bring a domino of developments in Cyprus as well, with President Christodoulidis convening an emergency meeting of the National Security Council for tomorrow morning, while the Governmental National Security Council is also meeting in Greece (KYSEA) under the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Meeting at the Ministry of National Defence

Two C-130s are on standby for the evacuation of Greek citizens from Lebanon, as was decided in a meeting at the Ministry of National Defence ahead of the afternoon meeting of the Governmental National Security Council (KYSEA) at the Maximos Mansion under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Among other things, the assistance of the Hellenic Armed Forces in the operation to free Cypriot citizens from Lebanon was examined. At the meeting, an order was given by the relevant leadership to make available naval vessels of the Hellenic Navy, including naval vessels capable of transporting civilians.

Finally, according to skai.gr, the issue of the implementation of operational plans to assist in the evacuation of Greek citizens from the wider region by any available means, if this becomes necessary, was examined.

In a meeting that took place this morning at the Ministry of National Defence under the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, with the participation of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Houpis, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General Demosthenes Grigoriadis and the Deputy Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Rear Admiral Georgios Floros (as a representative of the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Katara due to his absence for operational reasons), issues related to the recent developments in the Middle East were examined.

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